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Thursday, November 5, 2009

Once upon a time, I participated in the hundred push ups challenge. I worked hard to do tons of real, straight leg push ups. I made it through week 5 (of 6) by repeating weeks 3, 4 and 5 over and over. It was tough. I never got to week 6 and never was able to perform all 100 push ups consecutively.

But all was not lost because my arms (and core) had gotten a lot stronger just by doing the push ups three times a week. So, really, it was a win. And I took that win, patted myself on the back, and gave up on push ups for a good year or so.

Sure, I would do them when working out with Jillian Michaels and her Shred girls. That was about it, though. I rarely, if ever, did them just to do them.

Well, the time has come to get back to kicking my own butt. Bring on the push ups!

Lisa over at Chasin' Bunnies wrote about how she's doing the challenge and invited others to join her. I seem to not be able to pass up a challenge because I signed up. I'm in. Get ready, arms! Today, I did the initial test and was able to squeeze out 15 good form, straight leg push ups. I almost made it to 16 but that one was crud and my back was all archy, so it didn't count.

Yes, 15 is a far cry from 100 but I'm not so worried about getting to 100 this time around. Lisa is all low-pressure with this challenge so it's more about building strength than actually reaching a certain number. That should work well for me.

Now, speaking of Jillian Michaels (because we were, right?), I went back the Shred last night. I did Shred level 3 using 6lb weights and I feel a little sore today. I'm going to cut myself some slack because a) I've hardly done any cross training in the past few months and b) Jillian and her girls use 3lb weights. So I'm practically a rock star hoisting my mighty 6lbs. Ha!

15 is a good start!! Much better than what I'd be able to report for "real" pushups right now. gah! I used to do them every morning too - you miss ONE day and totally fall off. Sad.

I've never done the Shred!! Where have I been with this?! Everyone loves it. I have another TBL workout dvd that I heart - with bob jillian and the old trainer, Kim. But, missing this Shred thing. Might have to look into this...

Oh wow! Where do I sign up? I used to be a competitive swimmer and was all upper body strength and now...well, hardly any lol! Really tho- what a great idea yay :) I will be stocking up on my Topricin pain cream before beginning...yikes! Thanks for the info...now I need to go find a link.

I did that back when it was cool too a year ago. :) I started at about 10 pushups and worked my way up to 45 or so. I failed about the same week you did - and I just got sick of having it take up so much time in my workout.

However, I was so happy with my accomplishment I've made pushups part of my strength training and do them about once a week. I can knock out about 50 now, which makes me happy.

i jumped on the 100-pushups craze once and didn't complete it either, but i did notice that my arms were getting stronger! it's a good program - i need to start it up again. i don't care so much if i ever do 100 pushups in a row - i just want my arms (and back) to look hawt! :)

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Hi! I'm Felice -- thanks for stopping by! For several years I have blogged about running on The Happy Runner and I still consider myself a full-on happy runner. I'm also fun-loving quasi-health nut who found vibrant health and abundance through a paleo-ish whole-foods diet and essential oils. I share my story, experience, and knowledge with those who are interested in living their happiest, healthiest, most abundant lives.

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This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

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